THE NEW GOLEM
Thanks to O.J. and the CSIS series we all know that DNA is used to solve crimes. We can do this because each person’s DNA is a unique blend of four compounds called nucleotides: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T). The A compound always pairs with the T compound; C with G. Put them all together and you have a genome.
A-T...G-C: Four letters in two pairs that taken together can and do represent every single life form that has ever existed. Or more importantly, that ever will exist.
The human genome consists of 3 billion base pairs. The blueprints for the human genome and that of many other species have been read. The DNA sequence for the human genome was completed in 2000, perhaps the single most important scientific advance in our lifetime in terms of knowledge that will literally change our lives.
Genomics is the science and practice of controlling DNA. Today, DNA researchers are on the verge of creating new life, starting at the microorganism level but ending who knows where. Expect breaking news on this sooner than you could ever imagine, and when you hear it, ponder the following.
Jewish tradition speaks of a magical creature called a golem. This was a creature that was fashioned out of clay and brought to life by reciting a specific combination of words and letters or by inscribing a specific word on its forehead.
Golems were usually created to do the heavy lifting since they were physically very strong. Inevitably it would begin well and end badly. The golem would get out of control and have to be destroyed.
Something to think about as we venture forth into our brave new genetic world.
February 7, 2010
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